Anyone have experience doing this? I am tackling doing this bad a suspension lift next week and want to be prepared. Keep in mind I am a professional technician so I am capable. Just not sure if there are any special tools required.

 

No special tool really needed, though a Draper ball joint separator makes it easier.
Taking a couple of of the old radius arm to axle bolts and grinding them down shorter and with a taper can make alignment easier. I have one about 1 1/2" long and one about 3" long that I use.

 

Thanks Tom! I am contemplating buying a shop press of my own just in case I need it. Well... And because I want my own press.

 

Can't go wrong with that.

I'm also a big fan of a torch for getting the old ones out rather than fighting with them, but you probably know that "trick" already.

 

I think harbor freight has a crummy 2 ton for like $140

 

That's a good one but I always worry about changing the housing or damaging something I do not want to damage.

 

A heat gun would be less intense but still might help.

 

I have one of those as well.

 

Question...

What was your decision on the firm bushings?

I am looking at the standard feel version (orange), to smooth out the ride. But, i don't know if it makes a difference on Rovers....

 

Or right, a press.
I have an old 12t that the jack died on and I replaced it with a 20t air/hydraulic. Some of the bushings needed it.
But I've done others with it when it was 12t.

I have a set of 3/4" drive sockets that I used with the press to remove the bushings, but you can get actual dies from places like Northern Tool or Harbor Freight that work fine.

I've drilled the old rubber and taken a cold chisel to them before, but that's quite tedious.